Device for the sterilization of liquids by means of ultraviolet rays

Abstract

A device for the sterilization of liquids by means of ultraviolet radiation whereby a low-pressure high-current mercury vapor lamp is used with a discharge tube as the radiation source wherein the cooling of the lamp is effected by means of an air flow circulating in the device and adjustment of the mercury vapor pressure by heating the cooled air in a heating device and the heating of a cecum-shaped piece of tubing with this heated air. In order to reduce the energy consumption during this heating phase, a mechanism is provided in the device in order to lead a first portion of the cooled air flow directly to the discharge tube of the lamp. A second portion of the cooled air flow, which is smaller in comparison with the first portion, is heated by the heating device and led to the cecum.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for sterilizing liquids by means of ultraviolet rays wherein the source of radiation used is a low-pressure high-current mercury vapor lamp which is provided with a cecum-shaped piece of tubing located on a discharge tube, comprising: a pipeline through which said liquids flow disposed around said discharge tube;   at least one electrode bulb;   means for circulating a stream of air through the apparatus such that air travels past said at least one electrode bulb to an outer wall of the pipeline and such that air that has cooled on the outer wall of the pipeline is returned to said mercury vapor lamp at a temperature lower than the operating temperature of said cecum-shaped piece of tubing;   means for separating said stream of cooled air upstream of said cecum-shaped piece of tubing into first and second streams of cooled air such that said second stream of cooled air communicates with said cecum-shaped piece of tubing and said first stream of cooled air directly communicates with said discharge tube; and   heating means positioned in said second stream of cooled air for heating said second stream of cooled air and for controlling the temperature of said cecum-shaped piece of tubing.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means for separating said stream of cooled air comprising first and second tubes opening towards said discharge tube such that at least one of said first and second tubes axially surrounds said cecum-shaped piece of tubing. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further comprising electrode insulating material disposed in an open end portion of said means for separating said stream of cooled air; and a high voltage ignition electrode positioned in at least one of said first and second tubes.   
     
     
       4. An apparatus as set forth in claims 1 or 2 or 3, further comprising fan means for increasing circulation of said stream of air through the apparatus.